Unidirectionally adjustably resistant recoilers and portable exercise devices

Abstract

An upper body exercise device comprising a base (10) on which two adjustably resistant recoilers (20) are mounted is contained in a waist pouch (30). Two extension members (40) extend outwardly and downwardly from the base (10) and pulleys (50) are attached to the outer ends (44) of the extension members. Cords (60) from the recoilers (20) are threaded through the pulleys (50) and handles (70) are provided at the ends. The extension members (40) displace and direct frictional force created by the recoilers (20), and the pouch (30) makes the device easy to put on and take off. The recoilers (20) preferably provide adjustably resistant force against tension applied to the cords (60) and a slight restoring force sufficient to recoil the cords (600 when tension is released. This avoids safety problems with other mechanisms that provide a restoring force equal to the displacing force.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process, comprising: using a unidirectionally adjustably resistant recoiler to provide resistance for exercise, wherein said using step is carried out with a device comprising: unwindingly projecting recoiler means for projecting an engageable member when rotated in an unwinding direction by an unwinding force, and for providing a restoring force when said unwinding force is released; and   unwindingly engaging adjustable friction means for engaging said engageable member only when said recoiler means rotates in an unwinding direction, and for providing adjustable friction against said unwinding force when so engaged, unwindingly engageably coupled to said recoiler means;     wherein said unwindingly projecting recoiler means comprises: a housing;   a recoil axle mounted in said housing;   a recoil spring having a housing portion and a wheel portion anchored at said housing portion to said housing;   a recoil wheel having an axially projecting hub portion with a tongue aperture, mounted on said recoil axle and attached to said wheel portion of said spring, whereby said recoil spring provides a restoring force when said recoil wheel is rotated;   an extendable tongue extendably mounted in said hub portion adjacent to said tongue aperture;   tongue extension means for extending said tongue through said tongue aperture radially outwards from said hub when said recoil wheel is rotated in an unwinding direction, and for retracting said tongue through said tongue aperture when said recoil wheel is rotated in a winding direction.     
     
     
       2. A process according to claim 1, wherein said unwindingly engaging adjustable friction means comprises: a friction wheel rotatably mounted adjacent to said recoil wheel;   a friction plate fixedly mounted adjacent to said friction wheel and in frictional contact with said friction wheel;   engagement means for engaging said extendable tongue only when said tongue is extended, whereby said friction wheel and said recoil wheel are engaged only when said tongue is extended;   frictional adjustment means for adjusting friction between said friction wheel and said friction plate; and   a housing cover over said housing.